The Teaching & Learning Center at Mountain View College seeks to share teaching practices across the entire institution. The following article showcases a faculty member, provides insight into the environment they’ve created for MVC students, and demonstrates effective teaching practices.
This month we showcase Dr. Alex Diaz, Professor of Business Management.
What is one element about MVC that makes it the “best college on earth?”
The college’s ability to identify and relate to the needs of our students and provide instruction in a small classroom environment.
How would your students describe you or your teaching style?
I believe that the students would describe my teaching style as focused on student engagement. I seek out opinions from the students to engage them in the topic of discussion. In the instruction of Business and Management, I feel that it is an essential skill for the student to learn how to communicate their ideas related to Business and Management topics.
What teaching strategies do you find most successful in your courses?
Keeping the topics related to real world applications or current events helps the students connect with the topic.
What do your students love most about your courses?
My willingness to seek out their opinions and listen to them communicate their ideas.
What is one creative solution you’ve implemented to address a specific challenge in your courses?
Getting students to purchase and utilize course support materials (textbooks) has been a challenge. I have attempted to lower the cost of purchasing required support materials (like textbooks) by utilizing materials developed internally through the DCCCD. These materials are made available to them through the utilization of BlackBoard or eCampus course shells to supplement lecture courses.
What has been your most positive or rewarding teaching experience?
Having students that contact me after they have left MVC to share how they have found success in their academic or professional life.
What advice would you give to a new faculty member at MVC?
Find ways to engage your students to enhance their learning experience, as it is a new opportunity every semester.
Who is one person at MVC who has been instrumental to your success (and why)?
All of the administration, faculty peers and support staff facilitate my success at MVC. It is through their support and encouragement that I have the opportunity to be successful at MVC.
MVC Teaching and Learning 